RGV Daily Brief: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, brought the Rio Grande Valley a full roster of stories ranging from courtroom proceedings and law enforcement charges to animal rescues and community fundraising.
On the legal and public-safety front, jury selection got underway in Harlingen for a Donna father accused of killing his 3-year-old daughter, while a Raymondville man received a 25-year prison sentence for killing his 70-year-old boyfriend. Separately, a Border Patrol agent was charged with aggravated assault after striking a Mexican man with a vehicle during a 2025 Harlingen immigration operation — and Minnesota's attorney general filed suit against the Texas governor seeking the extradition of an ICE agent to stand trial. Meanwhile, a Starr County rancher described his fear after his newborn calf became the first confirmed New World screwworm case reported in the Rio Grande Valley, with the animal said to be recovering.
On a lighter note, Brownsville firefighters rescued a cow found neck-deep in mud in a ditch Tuesday morning, and South Padre Island's alligator sanctuary marked Big Padre's 59th birthday. Shark bite incidents at South Padre Island continued to draw national attention, the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry held a distribution event for residents in need, and a Harlingen pizzeria announced a fundraiser for an employee diagnosed with leukemia. Los Dos de Tamaulipas are scheduled to perform at Payne Arena in Hidalgo on August 22, 2026.
Top StoriesAcross the Valley
- Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry hosting food distributionValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
The Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry held a distribution event to assist local residents in need.
- 'I was afraid': Starr County rancher says calf recovering from screwwormValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
A Starr County rancher said his newborn calf, the first confirmed New World screwworm case in the area, is recovering.
- Jury selection underway for Donna father accused of killing daughterValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
A pre-trial hearing was held in Harlingen as jury selection began for Jose Manuel Uresti, a Donna father accused of killing his 3-year-old daughter.
- South Padre Island alligator sanctuary celebrating Big Padre's 59th birthdayKRGV · August 18, 2026
South Padre Island's alligator sanctuary held a celebration for Big Padre, who turned 59 years old.
- Minnesota attorney general sues Texas governor to compel extradition of ICE agent for trialValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
Minnesota's attorney general sued the Texas governor on Tuesday seeking to compel the extradition of an ICE agent to face trial.
- Border Patrol agent hit Mexican man with on-duty vehicle during Harlingen immigration operationValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
A Border Patrol agent faces an aggravated assault charge after hitting a Mexican man with a vehicle during a 2025 Harlingen immigration operation.
- Raymondville man sentenced for killing 70-year-old boyfriendValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
A Raymondville man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2025 killing of his 70-year-old boyfriend, per Cameron County court records.
- Video 4 shark bite incidents in South Padre Island, TexasABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · August 18, 2026
Four shark bite incidents at South Padre Island drew national media coverage, including from ABC News.
- BROWNSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE COW TRAPPED NECK-DEEP IN MUDCity of Brownsville · August 18, 2026
Brownsville firefighters responded Tuesday morning to find an adult cow trapped neck-deep in mud inside a ditch and worked to free it.
- Stefano's Pizza to host fundraiser for employee diagnosed with leukemiaValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
Stefano's Brooklyn Pizza in Harlingen is planning a fundraiser to support an employee who has been diagnosed with leukemia.
MissionMission
- Judge denies bond reduction for man accused in fatal Mission crashValleyCentral · August 18, 2026
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Tuesday denied a bond reduction for a man accused in a fatal motorcycle crash. Apolonio Perez's bond will remain at $3.25 million.
- New county signage program promotes Farm Bureau missiontexasfarmbureau.org · August 18, 2026
BrownsvilleBrownsville
- STAY INFORMED WITH THE BROWNSVILLE MOSQUITO NOTICES APPCity of Brownsville · August 18, 2026
The City of Brownsville is reminding residents that the Brownsville Mosquito Notices mobile app is available as a convenient way to stay connected to mosquito control services and
- Hands on History returns to Brownsville Aug. 22The New Era | Sweet Home, OR · August 18, 2026
- GLADYS PORTER ZOO ANNOUNCES $2 ADMISSION FOR BROWNSVILLE DISCOUNT DAYSCity of Brownsville · August 18, 2026
Gladys Porter Zoo is inviting Brownsville residents to enjoy Brownsville Discount Days on September 11, 12 and 13, offering admission for just $2 per person.
- Brownsville, a Strategic Hub for Industry and EnergyMexico Business News · August 18, 2026
- Brooklyn Salutes Its Hero: Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington with Massive Parade in Brownsvillewbcboxing.com · August 18, 2026
The RGV News is an aggregator. We summarize headlines and link to the original reporting; all content remains the property of its publisher.